QSPR checking and validation: a case study with hydroxy radical reaction rate constant

Traditionally, QSAR and QSPR models have been fitted by splitting the available compounds into separate learning and validation sets. The model is then fitted to the learning set and assessed using the validation set. Cross-validation (CV) uses all available compounds for both purposes, so that the full body of available information is brought to bear on both the learning and the validation portions of the study. The price paid for this additional information is a substantially greater computational load. A common mistake in using CV is to omit some of the repetitive computations. This mistake leads to substantial bias in the assessment. A hydroxyl radical reaction rate dataset is used to illustrate the superiority of CV and the pitfalls from its improper execution when modeling using nearest neighbors, paralleling behavior in the well-studied linear model setting.     

Thermo‐mechanical Properties of PEO‐PU/PAN Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and their LiClO4 Salt‐Complexes

This paper is an investigation on the thermo‐mechanical properties of a new class of materials, which holds promise for its potential use as solid polymer electrolytes, i.e., SPE material. A series of poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyurethane/poly(acrylonitrile) (PEO‐PU/PAN) semi‐IPNs, along with their LiClO₄ salt complexes, were characterized for their thermal, mechanical and dimensional stability using DSC, TG‐DTA, UTM and DMTA. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of both the undoped and doped semi‐IPNs, obtained by DSC, remained well below room temperature (～?50°C to ?35°C), satisfying one of the essential requirements to serve as a SPE host matrix. The crystallization process in the PEO segments of the PEO‐PU/PAN semi‐IPNs was prevented at higher salt concentrations, which is attributed to the Li⁺ ion mediated pseudo‐crosslinks. Good thermal stability of the semi‐IPNs was evident from the degradation onset temperature (T₀～240°C) with a three‐stage degradation process, which is independent of the PAN content as observed from differential thermogravimetric studies. The incorporation of PAN in the PEO‐PU networks results in improved mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and modulus while retaining the flexibility of the semi‐IPNs. The peak temperatures and storage modulus obtained from DMTA correlates well with the observations of DSC and tensile measurements.     

Charge‐Transfer Complex Formation in Gelation: The Role of Solvent Molecules with Different Electron‐Donating Capacities

A naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐based synthetic peptide molecule forms gels in a particular solvent mixture (chloroform/aromatic hydrocarbon, 4:1) through charge‐transfer (CT) complex formation; this is evident from the corresponding absorbance and fluorescence spectra at room temperature. Various aromatic hydrocarbon based solvents, including benzene, toluene, xylene (ortho, meta and para) and mesitylene, have been used for the formation of the CT complex. The role of different solvent molecules with varying electron‐donation capacities in the formation of CT complexes has been established through spectroscopic and computational studies.     

Possibility of new effects in quantum wells coupled by Coulomb interaction

The hamiltonian for two 2-dimensional layers of electrons (neglecting spin), is similar to that of a free electron gas with the role of spin-up and spin-down electrons being played by electrons in two layers. An anomalous ground state analogous to the spiral spin density wave (SSDW) state presents intriguing possibilities.     

Design, synthesis and DNA-cleaving efficiency of photoswitchable dimeric azobenzene-based C2-symmetric enediynes

Designed azobenzene-based enediyne-amino acid C(2)-symmetric hybrids have been synthesized and the role of amino acid linker in stabilizing the Z form has been demonstrated; DNA-binding and cleavage studies have established higher reactivity of the Z-isomers.     

Synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic properties of chiral oxorhenium(V) complexes incorporating polydentate ligands derived from L-amino acids: a density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory investigation

The oxorhenium(V) complexes [Re (V)O(L A)Cl 2] bearing the (N-2-pyridylmethyl) of l-valine (HL A (1)), l-leucine (HL A (2)), and l-phenylalanine (HL A (3)) and [Re (V)O(L B)Cl] containing the {(N-2pyridylmethyl)-(N-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzyl)} of l-valine (H 2L B (1)), l-leucine (H 2L B (2)), and l-phenylalanine (H 2L B (3)) are presented in this article. The complexes are isolated in enantiomeric pure form examined from X-ray structure determination. The complexes are characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The molecular structures observed in the solid state are grossly preserved in solution ( (1)H, (13)C, and circular dichroism spectra). Gas-phase geometry optimization and the electronic structures of [Re (V)O(L A (1))Cl 2], [Re (V)O(L A (2))Cl 2], and [Re (V)O(L B (2))Cl] have been investigated with the framework of density functional theory. The absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the complexes were also calculated applying time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) using the conductor-like polarizable continuum solvent model to understand the origin of the electronic excitations. The chemical shift ( (1)H and (13)C) as well as (1)H- (1)H spin-spin coupling constant were also computed by the gauge-independent atomic orbital method, and the computed values are consistent with the experimental data.